'I was raped. I don't think I can make myself more clear': Alleged victim continues evidence in court

A YOUNG WOMAN who claims she was raped by two rugby internationals rejected a suggestion today that she “ran with a lie” to deflect attention that she engaged in group sex.

As the 21-year old continued to give evidence at Belfast Crown Court, she maintained she was raped by both Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding in the bedroom of Jackson’s south Belfast home in June 2016.

It has already emerged during the trial – which is now in its second week – that a girl who also attended the after party at Jackson’s house walked into the bedroom in the early hours of June 28th.

When asked about this, the woman at the centre of the trial said this was “secondary” as she had already been raped, but admitted she was concerned in case the girl had taken a photograph.

During cross-examination from Brendan Kelly QC, representing Jackson, the woman was asked about her actions and the texts she sent to friends hours after the alleged rape.

Denying the sexual activity was consensual, the woman, who was 19 at the time, maintained she was raped.

When it was put to her that “in an intoxicated and excited state … you that night engaged of your own choice in sexual activity,” she said: “I completely reject that”, and added: “Mr Kelly, I was raped. I don’t think I can make myself more clear.”

And when Kelly suggested that she may have believed that the girl who entered the bedroom “witnessed group sex” which she may then had posted on social media, the woman replied: “Mr Kelly, again, I was raped. It was not consensual group activity at all.”

Accusing the woman of later concocting claims she had been raped, she was asked by Jackson’s barrister: “You were petrified that either the rumour or the proof this sexual activity would find its way to your friends, and that’s what drove you on as far as running with this lie, is it not?”

She was also asked about texts she sent to friends on the morning and afternoon of 28 June 2016.

She ended a text she sent her friend telling her she had been raped, with three upside-down smiling emoji faces. When she was asked about these emojis, she said it signified mixed emotions.

She added that at that time “everything is going through your head, Why did it happen to me, what did I do to deserve it.”

And when it was suggested that the first friend she contacted was a girl who was mutual friends with the group of girls back at the party, and who would therefore be likely to be the first to hear a rumour or see something on social media, she replied: “No. That’s an entirely twisted mindset and thought process you have just laid out there. That’s not what I was thinking or feeling.”

Paddy Jackson (26) from Oakleigh Park and his 24-year old teammate Stuart Olding, from Ardenlee Street in Belfast, have both been charged with, and deny, raping the woman. Jackson also denies an additional charge of sexually assaulting her.